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36 called the better-half of man. Even, the Mother of the Universe is Shiva's married wife."

The temple-keeper thought he explained everything and Kapalkundala thought he understood everything.

"Let it be as you say" added Kapalkundala. "But my heart is loth to let him severely alone as he brought me up by hand for so long a time."

"You don't know why he reared you."

After this, the Adhicary or temple-keeper made a feeble attempt at making a half-hearted exposition to Kapalkundala as to the relation of woman to the Tantrick rites of worship. Though Kapalkundala could not take in all this, still a chill gripped her heart.

"Let me be led to the marriage altar then" stammered out she.

Afterwards, both went out of the temple. The temple-keeper, making Kapalkundala wait in a room, approached Nabokumar's bed and sat at the head of the bed-stead.

"Sir" enquired he "are you asleep?"

Nabokumar was not in a mood to fall into a sleep. He lay brooding over his own condition.

"No, Sir" answered he.

"Sir, I have turned in here" resumed the Adhicary "to gather your particulars. May I ask if you are a Brahmin?"

"Oh! yes, I am."

"Of what sect?"

"Of Rahri sect."